It’s been a record-breaking year for the Beer Mile at the first ever Beer Mile World Championships in Austin, Texas. Elizabeth Harden, a geology professor hailing from Ohio, set a new women’s world record of 6:17.76.

For those who are unfamiliar with the Beer Mile, here’s the lowdown. Runners from all over the world gather to run four laps around a 400-meter track. But there’s one twist: participants also have to chug a 12 oz. beer before each lap. Runners are allowed to drink their brew of choice, as long as it is at least 5% ABV. Although this year was the first official Beer Mile Championship, the first organized races date all the way back to the early 80’s. It wasn’t until this year that Flocasts, who dubs itself as “The Authority on Die-Hard Sports,” had the idea to bring together the finest beer mile athletes and host the first ever Beer Mile World Championships.

At the race this year, women’s winner Elizabeth Harden, 29, shaved almost 11 seconds off the previous world record, which was held by Chris Kimbrough, a 45-year-old mother of six. Harden’s beer of choice was New Belgium Fat Tire at 5.2% ABV. She told Runner’s World, “It has a good taste but isn’t overpowering.” She finished her first beer in 11.37 seconds, second in 26 seconds, third in 23.8 seconds, and fourth in 21.41 seconds. Harden is optimistic for next year’s race, with plans to practice her chugging to cut even more time.

In the men’s category, 27-year-old Corey Gallagher of Manitoba, Canada took the victory with a time of 5:00.23, just short of his goal of breaking five minutes. Gallagher was drinking Bud Light Platinum, because he said it’s less foamy than others.

Think you have what it takes? The Beer Mile World Championships also has an open division for non-elite runners. A competitor in the open division and employee at a local triathlon shop, Derek Williams, put it best. He told Runner’s World, “I like beer, I like working out. But combining them is different.”

Photo by Rodolfo Gonzalez